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MTSU wants to pass to running backs more

Adam Sparks, Gannett Tennessee
5:12 p.m. CDT August 18, 2014

Jeremiah Bryson, a former Smyrna standout, is among four MTSU running backs with proven receiving skills. But they rarely were targeted in the passing game last season.<252>(Photo: file / Gannett Tennessee)

MURFREESBORO – When Middle Tennessee State quarterbacks watched film of Peyton Manning and Tom Brady this offseason, the shortest passes made the biggest impression.

They saw both routinely flick the ball to running backs who turned small tosses into reasonable gains.

It was something MTSU coaches thought was lacking from their own game film last season, and the numbers support that.

MTSU running backs accounted for 36 receptions and 118 yards last season, the lowest output for Blue Raiders backs in the FBS era, which started in 1999.

With the most proven offensive talent in MTSU’s backfield, involving running backs in the passing game has been a priority in preseason camp.

“Where I think we can be better offensively is (the quarterback) going through a progression and coming down to the check down, their third read where it’s Jordan (Parker) or Shane (Tucker) or Jeremiah (Bryson) or Reggie (Whatley), if he ever gets back (hip injury),” coach Rick Stockstill said.

“You have some talented skill players, some weapons in the backfield that are dangerous in space. So our running backs have touched the ball a lot more this fall camp than they have the last couple of years.”

All MTSU’s running backs are strong receivers. Parker had a 66-yard catch-and-run as a freshman in 2012. Whatley broke a short reception for an 82-yard TD in 2011. Bryson had a 49-yard TD catch on a wheel route in 2012, and was a solid receiver at Smyrna.

Tucker actually excelled as a slot receiver for much of his time at Memphis University School before converting to running back for good at MTSU a year ago.

Yet none of the four even reached 70 receiving yards last season.

“A lot of people don’t realize how much yardage and crucial first downs they (Brady and Manning) get just by making a check down that goes for 8, 9, 10 yards,” sophomore quarterback Austin Grammer said. “A lot of times the defense forgets about those guys (running backs), and we have great ones. Honestly, those guys make more plays than we do in the open field, so we like to get them the ball.”

First, it is difficult to divide rushing attempts between four proven running backs. Adding receptions to the mix gives them a greater role in the offense.

Second, Simple tosses to backs could provide security to the three young, inexperienced quarterbacks competing for the starting position.

“Our first responsibility is to check to make sure no one is coming free on a blitz at them. But then our job is to get out on our route,” Tucker said. “You know we are an extra asset. With the three quarterbacks we’ve got, all three are mobile. If we run our check down, we are an extra target that our quarterback can run around and find.”